A woman uses an oral test for HIV. New HIV infections have remained at a stable level, according to CDC data. / Jacquelyn Martin, AP

by Cathy Payne, USA TODAY

by Cathy Payne, USA TODAY

The number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections across the country has remained stable, according to a new government analysis.

There were 47,500 new infections in 2008 and 47,500 in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV Supplemental Surveillance Report. HIV can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The report also notes a decline in new infections among African-American women. The number dropped from 7,700 in 2008 to 6,100 in 2010.

"We are moving in the right direction with the epidemic," says Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. "We have accomplished a lot, but we have more to do."

Men who have sex with men continue to be the most affected. That group's new infections increased from 26,700 in 2008 to 29,800 in 2010. Those men make up about 4% of the U.S. population but accounted for 63% of all new infections.

The data can be used to refine prevention efforts, such as community engagement and education as well coordination with other federal agencies, Fenton says. "We will not end this epidemic until we effectively address the epidemic among young gay and bisexual men."